Battles. Perhaps that isn't a strong enough word. At times it seems like, cliched as it is, that we are involved in a full scale war. It's pretty obvious that groups like the Sierra Club, Earth First, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and more often than not, the BLM, are the opposition to our collective cause, but most of us don't realize who the real enemy is.

Our Real Enemy is Apathy.

Apathy? Yes Apathy. We all feel strongly about our sport. We all believe in our right to recreate on public lands. We read stories about, and hear the sorry tales of land closures around the country to protect supposedly "threatened" or "endangered"(......insert plant, animal or rock here) and get righteously pissed off. "Who do they think they are?"...."They can't do that"......That's bull$#!*.....

Well people, here's a wake up call. They CAN do it, they DO do it and we are loosing millions of acres of public lands, roads, and trails EACH AND EVERY YEAR because we can't seem to find the time in our lives to let our officials know how we feel. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth, and it must be said. Now before you click the link to send me e-mail calling me where to stick my "truth", why not do us all a favor and write that letter to your elected official, or area land manager instead?

Or you could write that letter on behalf of the SAN RAFAEL SWELL, because if you don't, we are going to loose one of off-roading's greatest treasures. Use that same dogged determination that drives you to blast through the deepest mud pits, climb across boulder strewn trails, steep hills and desert washes. Don't expect someone else to do it, because it won't get done. The first letter is always hard to write. I know that, mine was too, but dropping that letter in a mailbox empowers you. It makes your opinion heard. Believe it or not it honestly makes you feel good for having done it.

OK, I'll get off the soapbox now and give you the facts courtesy of Rainer Huck of the UTMA. It should also be noted that in a 1 hour phone conversation, to Dick Manus, BLM Area Rescource Manager for the Price River/San Rafael Resource Area, he clearly, and without exception, informed us that your letters ARE important, and given as much consideration as those of the Enviro-orgs.

Excerpts from
"SAN RAFAEL SWELL PLAN ISN'T SO SWELL"... by Rainer Huck

It did not take long for our worst fears to be realized. Dick, a seasoned BLM manager, although relatively new to this area, was well aware he was about to drop a bomb so he did it on tippy toes and with kid gloves. After a little friendly patter, e matter-of-factly said they were closing all roads in the Wilderness Study Areas, all roads n the Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and, just for good measure, all roads in he Semi- primitive Non-motorized areas. In total, by his accounting, this would mount to 212 miles (in addition to previous closures) of world class riding gone poof!

The audience, composed mostly of multiple use advocates and a few elderly gentlemen who would never again be able to visit the areas he was closing, groaned. What about the Devil's Racetrack?" one asked weakly, fearing the worst. "A tough call" responded Manager Manus, "but in the interests of consistency, I have ordered it closed".

Now consistency is generally viewed as a good thing, like punctuality, courtesy, or a pleasant odor. But here the concept is being applied to a 100 year old wagon route that winds its way through the most spectacular scenery in the whole world. riding on the backs of ATV's and motorcycles is the only way this fellow and thousands like him are able to access the public land that belongs to him just as much as to the environmentalist next door. But Manager Manus felt the concept was more important than the people and so they were to be sacrificed for the benefit of consistency.

Because I couldn't restrain my anxiety any longer I blurted out: "What about the Behind the Reef Road?" " Good news", replied Manager Manus and his environmentalist-in- residence, officially titled "recreation specialist", Tom Gnojek. "We're going to leave it open (mumble, mumble)"

"That's a relief" I thought, " at least they're going to throw us one bone."

In case you are not familiar with this road, all I need say is that it has the most spectacular scenic values to be found anywhere in the world. Running along the west flank of the San Rafael Reef it snakes between the massive rock upthrust on the east and the gorges and intricately eroded formations to the west. From a distance, the terrain looks so rugged that you would think it impossible that a road could exist there at all. But it does and it has since the 1950's when it was constructed in the course of the uranium boom. It connects Temple Mountain to the Hidden Splendor Mine running a distance of about 20 miles.

But my joy proved to be short lived, as a clarification of the mumbles consumed even this one positive element of the plan. The road would be open only to Bell Canyon, or thereabouts, with the last 5 miles of mostly single track closed. This not only blocks access to the Hidden Splendor mine site and a loop through the Muddy Creek Gorge, It also takes away the best and most challenging part of the entire route!

"Now, you say you are closing the Devil's Race Track to preserve the important, although abstract, principle of consistency" I said. "Why are you closing the southern portion of the Behind the Reef Road?" "Is it in a Wilderness Study Area?" " No." " Is it in a Semi-primitive Non-motorized Zone? " "No." " Is it an ACEC? " "No." " Then why are you closing it? " No reason, really.

So we have to speculate why. This road forms the west boundary of the Crack Canyon Wilderness Study Area. If it were to "disappear", then, like magic, the WSA seems to extend all the way west to the county road, greatly increasing its size.

Herein we find the underlying motivation for the entire plan. SUWA wants wall to wall Wilderness in the San Rafael Swell. Since they can't have it all right now, they want to create de facto wilderness by eliminating all incompatible activities. After twenty years have passed, they will say that the "impacts of man" (our roads) are "substantially unnoticeable" and thus wilderness designation everywhere will be appropriate.

They will succeed in their schemes only if we let them. People with vehicles are the only political force that can stop the wildernization of the Swell. And don't forget, those among you who ride mountain bikes, this plan targets all vehicles! You get the bum's rush along with the ATV's, motorcycles, and 4WD's.

Please take just a moment to write a letter. Your personal letter will have much more impact than a form letter. We need to have at least 500 comments submitted. This is the time of truth. If we don't act now, we will lose this precious resource forever. We must gear up for a massive show of opposition to this plan. The deadline for public input will be November 14, 1997. We need to make a stand here and brace for a sustained effort. If the force of our public input does not succeed, then we must appeal the decision within the BLM bureaucracy . If this is ineffectual, then we must litigate the matter in the courts. If we lose our access rights here, then we will lose them everywhere. The San Rafael Swell has a long tradition of motorized access and recreation. We can't allow SUWA and their sympathizers to steal this from us.

Here are some things you can say:

• You love viewing and accessing the public lands via vehicular travel.
• You currently or someday may require vehicular assistance to access the public lands.
• The plan violates a long tradition of vehicle assisted access and recreation in the swell
• Most of this activity takes place on roads that were built by mining activity in the 1950's
• Some of the roads are 100 years old
• The plan is directed toward creating "wall to wall" wilderness in the swell
• The plan violates the Americans with Disabilities act by denying traditional access to all those who cannot walk, hike, or climb long distances.
• The plan violates RS2477 rights of way.
• The plan is arbitrary and capricious, catering to the demands of special interests at the expense of the general public
• The plan will be unenforceable, cluttering the landscape with closure signs that will become targets of vandalism.
• It is an insult to the thousands of people who come to this area to tour and recreate
• It will impose undue economic impact on surrounding towns and Emery County.
• You feel your civil rights are being violated by discrimination in access to public facilities.
• Mention specific routes you are familiar with that will be closed such as Saddle Horse Canyon, North Salt Wash, The Devil's Race Track, and the southern portion of the Behind the Reef Road.
• Tell them you want previously closed RS2477 routes such as Chute Canyon and Iron Wash reopened.